that time of year

It's been very cold these past couple of weeks, the -17 C weather with -32 C windchills kind of cold, but without overcast and gloominess - just pure and continuous sunshine each and every day. This got me thinking about things that cast off great light but leave you feeling utterly cold, and also on how warmth is captured.

Every other Saturday, our young adults group gathers for Vespers, a spiritual discussion and then a fellowship activity. I can usually remember pretty well the things we do and the interaction we have during the latter portion, but I always regret the seeming quickness at which the former two are achieved. That is why for me the approach of Lent and the Lenten Season itself is so wonderful! I've heard many people comment on how long the season is, how hard it is to get to Church that many times a week, and so on. But I liken the forthcoming season to the kind of winter weather that I do like: overcast skies with a snowfall made up of those large white fluffy flakes and the sky (in the form of clouds) seems only an arm's stretch above your head.

Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop
And I shall be made clean.
Thou shalt wash me
And I shall be made whiter than snow.

It seems as though the world slows down a little on days such as this - at least that's my estimation - even with all the hullaballoo of traffic and people rushing to catch their buses; maybe I'm just the one doing the "slowing down." There's a quality to the air - which does in fact warm up in such weather conditions as I am describing - a foreshadowing of the warmth of the Spring that is to come. And not coincidently, when Christ greets us at His resurrection.